Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Here's what I wish someone had told me before booking Lufthansa: they cap in-cabin dogs at 8 kg, and that number decides everything about how your dog flies. Cooper is 30 kg, so cargo was always our route. If your dog sits under that line, the cabin option changes your whole approach. Let me walk you through what actually matters, step by step, so you can book with confidence.
Lufthansa's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Lufthansa handles your pet
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds and fighting-dog breeds CANNOT be transported in the cargo hold. Cabin policy for snub-nosed is not explicitly addressed — small snub-nosed pets within the 8kg cabin limit are typically accepted. Containers must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations. Pregnant animals refused. To USA: dogs minimum 6 months old, only Atlanta/LAX/Miami/JFK/Newark/Philadelphia/DC accepted, CDC Dog Import Form required.
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the cabin✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-07-15
Snub-nosed breeds banned✗ Yesverified 2026-07-15
Snub-nosed breeds list✓ Yesverified 2026-07-15
Minimum age12 weeksverified 2026-07-15
Advance booking notice72 hoursverified 2026-07-15
Advance booking required✓ Yesverified 2026-07-15
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-07-20
Min age weeks12 weeksverified 2026-07-15
Pregnant animals accepted✗ Noverified 2026-07-15
Carrier size55 × 40 × 23 cmverified 2026-07-20
Max weight (pet + crate)8 kgverified 2026-07-15
Crate must have/bewater bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrierverified 2026-07-20
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrierverified 2026-07-20
Health & documents
Health certificate required✓ Yesverified 2026-07-20
Health certificate validity10 daysverified 2026-07-20
Health certificate · Validity days10 daysverified 2026-07-20
Other rules
Minimum age12 weeksverified 2026-07-15
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-07-15
Pregnant animals accepted✗ Noverified 2026-07-15
Lufthansa books the cabin spot for a dog no later than 72 hours before departure. Contact the service center at least three days ahead of the flight. Confirm the cabin reservation is made and held before 72 hours to departure. Do not assume availability at the airport. Secure written confirmation of the booking inside that 72-hour window.
Lufthansa requires special handling for fighting dog breeds. Transport for these breeds runs through the cargo hold, not the cabin. Review the hold transport rules before booking one of these breeds. Fighting dog breeds aged three to six months face additional conditions. Confirm the breed classification with Lufthansa first, then arrange hold transport that meets the stated requirements.
Frequently asked
How many pets can I bring on Lufthansa?
Lufthansa allows 2 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
What is the cabin weight limit on Lufthansa?
In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 8 kg.
Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Lufthansa?
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.
How much does it cost to fly a pet on Lufthansa?
On flights within Metropolitan France, Lufthansa charges from 70 EUR in the hold, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
How far in advance must I book my pet on Lufthansa?
Add your pet to the booking at least 72 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
Lufthansa charges 350 EUR one-way for a dog in cargo. Budget 350 EUR for each cargo leg of the trip. Multiply that figure by the number of one-way segments to reach the total. Add this cargo fee to crate and veterinary costs when setting the travel budget. Pay the 350 EUR fee at booking or as Lufthansa directs.
Flying a dog on Lufthansa comes down to a handful of numbers, and once you know them, the rest falls into place. Every dog, route, and breed shifts the details, so don't guess. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo and get the exact steps for your dog and your destination. It's the calm, sorted feeling I wanted the first time we shipped internationally.
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
One more question worth answering
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: July 25, 2026
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